The Indianapolis Colts are a great brand
Professional football is an entertainment product. The NFL is selling an experience, a feeling, and the Indianapolis Colts are a fantastic brand.
Success in professional football is not measured by Super Bowl wins. A winning team is defined by a full season, multiple seasons, rather than one game. Someone can get lucky and win the Super Bowl. Often, it is the role of the injury dice that determines who is crowned champion.
Winning teams, which include talent on the field and in the office, provide the best experience for fans and consumers. While a losing team may have a superstar, that single player is unlikely to be able to create the kind of experience that will fill a stadium game after game. Sure, a player can sell enough jerseys to justify his salary, but it’s doubtful he can finance the entire franchise.
The Indianapolis Colts have always provided a top-tier product. For the past seven years, Coach Tony Dungy has led a team that has provided an exceptionally positive experience for fans both young and old.
From a business standpoint, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Sell crowds. Enthusiastic sponsors. A-list personalities in the field, all with their own devoted followings. These are all signs that people are getting the experience they want.
As noted above, it takes a lot of luck to make it to the Superbowl. That’s just getting there. Winning that game depends on even more variables outside of a coach’s control. Sure, only a good team will take home the Lombardi Trophy, but there are plenty of good teams that don’t even make it to the game in first place.
What’s more impressive is the Colts’ record. Having a winning season and making the playoffs year after year is a much better indicator of quality. It has very little to do with luck. Lightning in the frying pan Cinderella season doesn’t sell many sponsors or suites. And make no mistake, renting out suites and getting sponsorships is what it’s all about. In that sense, it’s easy to see the Colts as the successful business they are.
Sports fans recognize the accomplishments of Coach Dungy, General Manager Bill Pulliam, team owner Jim Irsace and the players. The team’s outstanding record over several years shows a mastery of the game. Players like Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Chad Clark and Reggie Wayne have accomplished incredible things as individual players.
Indianapolis has a team to be proud of. It has been football at its best and most enjoyable. But let’s give credit where credit is due. As a business, the Colts are definitely top of the line.